PhD on Tomographic Volumetric Additive Manufacturing: a unified and validated multiphysics process model

Introduction

Are you fascinated by cutting-edge additive manufacturing technologies, eager to develop a validated and predictive multi-domain computational model of this novel manufacturing process and motivated to cooperate with another PhD student who will develop the experimental setup and material models? Join us as a PhD candidate in a 2 PhD program and contribute to making volumetric 3D printing predictable, reliable, and industry-ready.

Job Description

Additive manufacturing enables unprecedented design freedom, but today's technologies still struggle with predictability, efficiency, and material waste. A promising new approach, Tomographic Volumetric Additive Manufacturing (TVAM), can fabricate complex 3D objects in a single step without support structures. However, industrial adoption is currently limited by the lack of predictive process and material models.

As a PhD candidate, you will work on the M2i-funded research project "Multiphysics Modelling of Tomographic Volumetric Additive Manufacturing Processes for Predictive Product Properties (MTV)". Your research focuses on the development of an experimentally validated multi-domain computational model that describes the TVAM process and predicts the resulting product properties.

You will be embedded in the Mechanics of Materials section in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology and closely collaborate with a second PhD candidate focusing on the development of the experimental manufacturing process setup and predictive material models, in the Processing & Performance section of the same department. The project is carried out together with the industrial partner Motion Imager and international academic collaborators.

Your main responsibilities include:

• Developing a robust, accurate and efficient multi-domain framework by coupling the optical, thermal, and mechanical domains, to describe the manufacturing process and predict the resulting product properties.
• Incorporating the physics-based constitutive material models that describe the liquid-to-solid transitions and viscoelastic behaviour under light exposure which are developed by the second PhD candidate.
• Experimental validation of the developed multi-domain solver by cooperation with the second PhD candidate and applying your solver to simple and complex geometries.
• Developing an uncertainty quantification and reduced order modelling approach to evaluate how variations in material properties and processing settings affect the product properties, in order to optimize the manufacturing process.
• Contributing to integrated demonstrations of predictive TVAM processes together with modelling and industrial partners.
• Publishing your results in leading scientific journals and presenting them at international conferences.
• Supervising MSc and BSc students and contributing to teaching activities.

Through your work, you will directly contribute to reducing material waste, enabling "first-time-right" manufacturing, and advancing digital twins for next-generation additive manufacturing.

Job Requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Physics, Computational Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Strong interest in the development of scientific software to describe complex manufacturing processes and material behavior, solid mechanics, polymer physics, and/or additive manufacturing.
• Affinity with computational methods such as the finite element method is an advantage.
• A research-oriented attitude and motivation to develop into an independent scientist.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).
  
  

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you: 

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment. 
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,059 - max. € 3,881).  
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%. 
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process. 
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.  
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. 
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates. 

About us

Eindhoven University of Technology is a leading international university within the Brainport region where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering department conducts world-class research aligned with the technological interests of the high-tech industry in the Netherlands, with a focus on the Brainport region. Our goal is to produce engineers who are both scientifically educated and application-driven by providing a balanced education and research program that combines fundamental and application aspects. We equip our graduates with practical and theoretical expertise, preparing them optimally for future challenges.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Olaf van der Sluis, O.v.d.Sluis@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HRServices.ME@tue.nl.

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.